1. All DTP vaccines are aluminium (Al) adsorbed. Al was previously considered nontoxic. Al is present in many vaccines, antiperspirants and skin care products. We showed that DTP from one producer caused persistent pruritic nodules in 1 % of children, in 77 % combined with Al allergy according to an epicutaneous test. We follow 645 children with pruritic nodules and Al allergy concerning prognosis and symptoms after Al exposure and have retested 250 children with previously demonstrated Al allergy. We plan to study release of Al particles from metallic Al and Al kloridhexahydrat in artifical sweat. Of importance for adjuvants in vaccines.

2. The pneumococcus is one of the most important human pathogens. We perform a clinical-epidemiological study of all 2950 invasive pneumococcal infections in VGR during 13 years. A study of clones of >800 isolates as a complement to a previous study of serotypes is ongoing. Of importance for vaccine indications, vaccine composition, cost-benefit analyses and understanding of spread of clones.